UK scrappage schemes 2018: which is best?

But instead of being government-sponsored, as it was the first time around in 2009-2010, car makers are piling in with their own offers and, crucially, small print. The latest details can be found here, in our 2018 scrappage round-up.The first thing to know is that not all the schemes are actually scrappage schemes. While most commit to scrapping Euro 1-3 vehicles, some do not scrap Euro 4 cars. These will most likely be sold into the trade for resale – worth remembering if you’re being offered a paltry trade-in allowance.

Of course, where the scrappage allowance is a trade-in allowance in all but name, the deal only begins to make sense if your car is worth less than the allowance being offered. So you need to establish the trade and private sale values of your trade-in before you consider one of these scrappage deals. At this point, be sure that you understand precisely what level of allowance the car you’re interested in attracts and, indeed, whether it attracts any at all. Many schemes operate a sliding scale of allowances, while some exclude certain models.Then check out online car sellers for rival deals. These sellers are supplied by dealers keen to shift the metal at almost any price. You may find their deals easily eclipse any scrappage deal, although remember that you’ll only be offered trade or less for your part-exchange since the dealer has most likely blown their margin discounting the new car’s price.

A generous scrappage allowance, as well as a trade-in allowance and access to existing retail offers such as PCP deposit contributions, low-rate finance and free servicing.Check exclusions. Frustratingly, some, such as the Volkswagen Group’s schemes, exclude petrol trade-ins. Some insist you have owned your trade-in for six months; others at least 90 days.Comparing the various schemes is tedious work, so we’ve tried to do some of the hard work for you. Ultimately, what matters is deciding whether you’ll be better off taking the scrappage deal, selling your old car privately and haggling a discount, or buying from an online seller and taking less for your car but enjoying a sizeable cash saving on its price. As always, do your homework.Continue with the gallery to check out the various manufacturer scrappage schemes - and what Autocar thinks of them.

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Euro 1-4 diesel cars registered up to 31 December 2009 and owned for at least six monthsAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: All models bar Q7 TDI, A8, R8 and RSHow much allowance? £2800-£8000 depending on modelCan be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? NoRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Limiting allowance to old diesels narrows appeal but sliding scale means expensive models benefit. Exclusion of other retail offers includes loss of PCP deposit contribution, so haggle extra savings and compare with online sellers.Rating: 3 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Diesel cars Euro 4 and older owned for at least 12 monthsAll trade-ins scrapped? NoAvailable against: Petrol and diesel models emitting less than 130g/km CO2How much allowance? £2000Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? YesRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Diesel-only trade-ins narrow appeal, as does fixed £2000 allowance, but good that you can combine it with existing retail offers. Allowance is in addition to BMW's offer of a ‘suitable average price’ for your trade-in. Electric and hybrid cars also attract plug-in grant.Rating: 3 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Euro 1-4 diesels registered before 2010 and owned for at least six monthsAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: Most models including Arteon, plus EVs and hybrids that qualify for additional government grantsHow much allowance? From £1800 (Up!) to £6000 (Sharan)Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? Not available with PCP offers, including deposit contribution and low-rate finance, although dealer may be able to offer somethingRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Limiting allowance to old diesels narrows appeal but sliding scale means expensive models benefit. Exclusion of other retail offers includes loss of valuable PCP deposit contribution, so haggle extra savings and compare with online sellersRating: 3 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Any petrol and diesel car registered before 31 December 2009 and owned for at least 90 daysAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: Selected models only (for example, not Mondeo, Galaxy, Edge or Ka+)How much allowance? Ranges from £2000 (Fiesta) to £4950 (Focus Titanium) depending on modelCan be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? Only with 0% PCP finance (which is good). Dealers may offer additional savingsRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: One of the more generous schemes, with 0% PCP finance available, plus whatever dealer will offer. Allowance restricted to selected models but sliding scale makes it more relevant. That said, online deals can be better even without allowanceRating: 4 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Euro 1-4 petrol and diesel cars registered before 31 December 2009 and owned for at least 90 daysAll trade-ins scrapped? EU1-3, yes; EU4, noAvailable against: All modelsHow much allowance? Sliding scale of allowances ranging from £1500 for i10 (i10S is £1545) to £5000 (Santa Fe)Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? 2.9% low-rate financeRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Sliding scale means allowances are in generous proportion to list prices, but if trade-in is worth more than £2000, check deal against Hyundai’s Click To Buy valuation and no-haggle discount pricingRating: 4 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Any car over seven years old, with no time limit on ownershipAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: Picanto and Rio onlyHow much allowance? £2000Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? No, although dealer may be able to offer something extra such as additional discountRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Only available on two models but simple with few conditions. However, it can't be used with other valuable offers and is of little value if your trade-in is worth more than the allowanceRating: 2 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Euro 1-4 diesels owned for at least six monthsAll trade-ins scrapped? Only Euro 1, 2 and 3 vehiclesAvailable against: Diesel and plug-in hybrid Mercedes cars and Smart EV, subject to availabilityHow much allowance? £2000 on qualifying Mercedes cars, £1000 on Smart EVCan be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? YesRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Good that allowance can be used with other retail offers. However, it’s small, so of little value against expensive models. The fact that it doesn’t scrap Euro 4 trade-ins suggest Mercedes will sell them to trade, so argue for a greater trade-in allowance or go online for better dealsRating: 3 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: All Euro 1-4 cars registered before the end of 2009All trade-ins scrapped? NoAvailable against: All new models plus Nissan-approved used LeafHow much allowance?From £1000 to £2000 on non-EVs and depending on trim (no allowance on Visia trim), and £1000 on used Leaf. All allowances plus existing retail offers (for example, X-Trail attracts total combined allowance and retail offer of £5000). Allowance in addition to trade-in allowanceCan be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? YesRuns until: 30 September 2017We say: A discount in all but name. Good it’s offered in combination with existing retail offers plus any trade-in allowance you can negotiate. Used Leaf allowance is a worthwhile incentive but check car’s market value to establish it's a good dealRating: 4 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: All Euro 1-4 cars registered by 31 December 2009 and owned for at least 90 daysAll trade-ins scrapped?YesAvailable against: Clio, Captur, Megane, Scenic/Grand Scenic, KadjarHow much allowance? £2000 plus sliding scale of additional savings ranging from £2000 on Scenic (£4000 total) to £2250 on Clio (£4250 total)Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers?Yes, including 4.9% finance on PCP or 0% on HP, plus two years' free servicingRuns until: TBCWe say: In combination with retail offers, some good savings available but, as always, you must know the value of your trade-in to establish whether it's a good deal. Good, too, that low-rate finance and free servicing are included, if only for two yearsRating: 4 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Euro 1-4 diesels registered before 2010 and owned for at least six monthsAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: Mii, Ibiza, Leon and ToledoHow much allowance? From £1500 (Mii) to £3500 (Leon)Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? Not available with any other retail offer, although dealer may be able to offer somethingRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Limiting allowance to old diesels narrows appeal but sliding scale means expensive models benefit. Exclusion of other retail offers includes loss of valuable PCP deposit contribution, so haggle extra savings and compare with online sellersRating: 3 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Euro 1-4 diesels registered before 2010 and owned for at least six monthsAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: All models except Kodiaq, Karoq and SE Technology and Citigo S trimsHow much allowance?From £1500 (Citigo) to £4000 (Superb)Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? Not available with PCP offers, including deposit contribution and low-rate finance, although dealer may be able to offer somethingRuns until: 31 December 2017We say: Limiting allowance to old diesels narrows appeal but sliding scale means expensive models benefit. Exclusion of other retail offers includes loss of valuable PCP deposit contribution, so haggle extra savings and compare with online sellersRating: 3 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Petrol and diesel cars older than seven years and owned for at least six monthsAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: All models, except Yaris HSD and Active X grades, and Aygo X grade

How much allowance? From £1000 (C-HR) to Land Cruiser (£4000)Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? Can be used with Finance APR offers but no other comsumer offers, although dealer may be able to offer somethingRuns until: 1 July 2018We say: Being open to petrol and diesel trade-ins is good and Toyota claims that even though allowance can’t be used in conjunction with some other retail offers, you’ll still be better off. Check online sellers and compare dealsRating: 3 out of 5

Qualifying trade-ins and conditions: Petrol and diesel cars of any age owned for at least 90 daysAll trade-ins scrapped? YesAvailable against: Adam, Corsa, Astra, GTC, Meriva and Mokka X, while stocks lastHow much allowance? £2000Can be used with manufacturer’s other retail offers? Yes, but not the We Buy Any Car schemeRuns until: 30 September 2017We say: Good that the scheme can be used in combination with most other offers but £2000 allowance is of little value if your trade-in is worth moreRating: 3 out of 5